1910-D

Denver's 1910 double eagle production rebounded to 429,000 pieces, more than eight times the 1909-D figure and a return to the branch mint's normal production levels after the unusual 1909 cutback. The D mint mark sits above the date on the obverse. Design specifications are unchanged from the rest of the Motto era: low-relief Saint-Gaudens dies with the 46-star obverse, the motto placed above the sun on the reverse, and lettered E PLURIBUS UNUM edge. 1910-D is the third year of Denver Saint-Gaudens production and the first year in which Denver's output approached the volumes characteristic of later-series D-mint dates. Denver's 1910 output ran only slightly below Philadelphia's that year, while San Francisco again produced the majority of the denomination's coinage at over two million pieces.

Strike quality on 1910-D varies within the normal Denver Motto-era range: most examples show adequate central detail on Liberty's torch and the eagle's breast, while a minority of coins from later die-state positions show noticeable softness, particularly on the torch flame and the Capitol rays behind Liberty. Bag marks on the obverse fields are typical for any large gold coin of the period, and field preservation is the grading swing factor at MS63 and higher. Wear on circulated examples concentrates on Liberty's forward knee, breast, and the eagle's breast and leading wing, following the series pattern. Counterfeit exposure is lower than for scarcer D-mint dates but still warrants PCGS or NGC certification given the coin's unit value in relation to bullion content. MS65 and finer examples show the best Denver die work of the date and command distinct premiums over common-grade pricing; MS66 and higher are true condition rarities despite the sizable mintage.

Market position for 1910-D is that of a common D-mint Saint-Gaudens, readily available in circulated and lower Mint State grades at pricing that tracks gold content plus a moderate numismatic premium. The coin is considerably easier to acquire than the 1909-D that preceded it, making it one of the go-to Denver dates for collectors building a date-and-mint set who prefer to hit availability and spend premium budget elsewhere. European bank hoard returns supplied Mint State coins for most of this period, and the 1910-D appears regularly in those lots. Acquisition at MS63 or MS64 with PCGS or NGC certification is the standard path; CAC approval adds value at higher grades but is not essential at the common tier. For collectors specifically looking for an early-series D-mint coin without the scarcity premium of 1909-D, the 1910-D is the natural choice. For the broader context of Denver's production across the series, see the St. Gaudens Gold $20 Double Eagles history article.